The promotion of environmental art: How art-based higher educational curricula can effectively highlight environmentalist agenda.

Abstract

The current research aims to explore how higher arts-based educational curricula can, and do, address environmental concerns that currently face society. Although progress in the form of technology may help alleviate environmental crises, the use of effective education remains a crucial means of addressing environmental concerns. To do so, this research reviews relevant empirical literature, and presents interviews with ten students and three art educator and researchers with regard to the role of environmental issues within arts-based education. The current study also presents detailed case studies derived from the work of students and educators, in order to demonstrate three significant means by which ecological issues can effectively be highlighted within an educational setting. However, much of the literature and data derived from interviews suggest that further work could be done to allow for greater exploration of environmental issues within art education. These findings build upon the conclusions of previous literature which emphasises the importance of using multidisciplinary educational techniques, community or collaborative projects, and the significant influence of having better environmental policies in art education. This research thus suggests many strategies which art educators and institutions could employ should they wish to better promote environmental issues.